MY MURDEROUS MATE

Devyn POV This drive never gets more interesting. At least I have Sirius to keep me entertained. I hate this drive every year back to the Nightfall Pack. See 7 years ago, I graduated high school and soon afterwards turned 18 years old. I was lucky to not find my mate when I turned 18 because most she-wolves do so. My father hoped the reason I didn’t find him was because Duran Lake hadn’t turned 18 yet. Duran Lake was the Young Alpha in training and would turn 18 years old a week after I did so. He was handsome and a friend of mine. We weren’t best of friends but had a cordial friendship. My family visited the pack house often since my father was the Head Attorney Guardian for the pack. Although not a high-ranking member of the pack, he still had clout to have access to the Alpha’s. I recall the day Duran turned 18. My father even purchased me a new dress to wear to the ceremony. We arrived ahead of others because my father needed to get the current Alpha Lake to sign all the formal documents required for Duran to take over the pack. I found my way to the kitchen to grab a water. I’ve been here enough to know my way around the place. I grab the bottle of water out of the refrigerator and take a drink. I hear a sigh behind me so turn to see Duran standing staring at me. “Hi Duran! Happy Birthday.” I said in a cheery voice. Duran, “Hi Devyn. I’m bummed.” He said this throwing his elbow on the counter while shoving his face in his hand. “Duran, what are you bummed about? Not sure I can help but I’m willing to listen.” Duran, “It’s embarrassing. I was hoping you would end up being my mate.” I spit water out of my mouth almost reaching him from the other side of the room. “Say that once again! I thought I heard you say you wanted me to be your mate.” Duran, “Geeze, would it be that bad if you were?” “No. Wait, not what I meant. I would have been honored but honestly …. I’m glad I’m not.” Duran, “You’re killing me here. Why wouldn’t you want to be my mate? I mean look at how handsome I am.” He said this standing and doing a little modeling for me. It is true, he is very handsome at 6’2” tall, black hair, black eyes, defined facial structure that says power without him saying a word. Plus, the body. Yes, the body is to die for! “Yes, Mr. Handsome. Your mate will be one lucky she-wolf.” Duran, “I hope she’s not Daria. Moon goddess will seriously hate me if it ends up being Daria.” “Well, Daria sure thinks it’s going to be her! She’s ready to be named Luna tonight. I heard she bought the most expensive gown she could find just for your birthday.” Duran, “Devyn, what if it is? She’s slept around. I don’t think I’d want her. I mean, I’ve actually saved that for my mate and was hoping she would do the same for me.” “Look, I think you’re thinking too hard about this. That handsomeness of yours is getting a worried look. You’re going to make yourself sick before the ceremony. Here! Slow sips of water should help.” Duran, “Thanks Devyn. You helped. Let me know if you need anything and don’t be a stranger.” “We’ll talk next week. I have a favor. It’s about my future but I’m still figuring it out and will talk to you about it then. Now! Let’s go find your Luna!” As soon as we exit the house, all eyes were on Duran and on me. I didn’t think about walking out together but I’m assuming everyone thought I was his mate. The smile on my father’s face was heartbreaking. I knew it would devastate him when he found out we weren’t mates. Duran tensed up and sniffed the air. Soon, he made his way through the crowd right towards Daria. She was glowing with a smile spread across her entire face. She held her head high and stretched out her arms to welcome Duran. I guess all he said earlier was just talk because he was within steps of her. I notice a small girl from school turn to leave the crowd. She was behind Daria. It looked like she was crying. Looking closer, it was Jori. She’s like the smartest girl in our class. She’s not shy but she is quiet. She doesn’t sleep around and I am fairly sure she is a virgin. I wonder why she is crying. My attention is drawn to a screeching sound of Daria. It sounds painful. I glance towards her to see Duran roughly push her hands off him. Duran runs after Jori turning her around. This is so like a Hallmark movie. Jori looks up at Duran who growls MINE. She growls back MINE. They are perfect together. I never thought about them being mates but now seeing them together, it all makes sense. The evening goes forward with little drama except for Daria having multiple meltdowns and sobbing. It is pathetic. My father is equally devastated and saddened. I must console his broken heart. I wish my mother were still living so she could take care of the old man’s wounds. Unfortunately, she died in a car accident when I was 12 years old. She and my father were on this same road I am currently driving when a drunk driver left his lane and hit them head on. She died before medical attention could get to the scene. My father was in critical condition for a few weeks and if he weren’t a wolf, he would have died. I’ve already passed the area where it happened, so I’ve shed a tear or two and continued my drive. Now back to why I’m driving this route anyway. As promised, Duran met me the week after his ceremony. I explained to him and Jori about how I didn’t want a mate. I explained how I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and go to the human city to study law and become an attorney. After lots, I mean lots, of explaining, begging, and negotiating, we came to an agreement. The agreement: I. I was permitted to attend college to become an attorney as it would benefit the pack to have an attorney to follow in my father’s footsteps. 2. I can live in the human city after getting my degree to work for the law group. 3. I must return anytime the pack needs my expertise. 4. Yearly, until I reach the age of 26, I must return to the pack house for the unmated wolf gathering. As you can imagine, this is the worst part of the deal. I can’t believe I need to attend this. Each year I get older and the attendees get younger. It’s quite embarrassing. I’m glad I haven’t found my mate, but I wish I didn’t have to attend this stupid gathering. Duran and Jori still have hope that I’ll find my mate. They say a mate completes you. I feel like I’m already complete and have everything I need. I’m successful. I have my own loft housing. I have expensive clothes, an expensive car and attend expensive parties with very prominent people. In my opinion, if I found a mate who was a warrior or something similar, it would be the death of me. My world does not mesh with that of pack wolves. I guess I’m just an ordinary wolf who lives in the human world.